PLDT highlights PH’s hyperscale digital infrastructure in Submarine Networks World

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

PLDT Enterprise highlighted the importance of nurturing mission-critical infrastructure to bolster the country’s bid to be the next digital hub in the Asia Pacific region during the recent Annual Submarine Networks World Event.

 

Victor Aliwalas, PLDT Enterprise Corporate Relationship Management Advisor, said that the PLDT Group has been exhausting its capabilities to fortify the Philippines’ global connectivity infrastructure as the next tech giants’ preferred geographic destination in APAC.

 

“In terms of hyperscalers digital infrastructure, PLDT is the country’s leading fully integrated telco and ICT provider. We are maintaining this accolade by continuous investments and CAPEX spend going back into our infrastructure. We are spending anywhere from P88-92 billion this 2021,” said Aliwalas. 

 

The PLDT Enterprise advisor exhibited PLDT Group’s subsea cable investments, which paved the path for the domination of PLDT in domestic fixed and mobile connectivity services.

 

PLDT’s current international cable network comprises 14 global subsea cable systems, with additional subsea cables expected to be operational by the end of this year to 2022 such as Asia Direct Cable, Jupiter, and Apricot. Moreover, PLDT also has three existing cable landing stations across the Philippines situated in Batangas, La Union, and Daet, with two more expected to be built in Baler and Davao over the next few months.

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“The new cable systems will not only provide increased capacity going to business-relevant markets. It also adds strategic diversity options out of multiple international cable system routes​,” Aliwalas shared.

 

Aside from PLDT’s subsea cable investments, Aliwalas noted that they are continuously improving their wireless services through the launch of commercial mobile 5G last July this year which now has over 5,000 5G sites to provide the best internet experience to customers.

 

He added that the rollout of 5G networks in the country is expected to fuel the demand for data centers as 5G delivers denser and faster streams of data, making data centers the core of enabling 5G applications in the future.

 

“We will continue to fortify our colocation footprint across the archipelago, our international connectivity via cable landing stations and undersea cable systems, as well as our last mile capabilities and beefing up our domestic fiber optic cable capabilities nationwide.”

 

 The country’s largest fully integrated telecommunications provider owns a network of 10 globally certified VITRO data centers, strategically located across the country with 17,300 square meters of rack space and the greatest number of TIA-942 Rated sites in the country. 

 

“Even with the most expansive network for both Fixed and Wireless, the measure of success for us is not on the overall lead in footprint, but in the actual customer experience. Our benchmark is not the internet speeds locally, but always use the global standard as a metric for us not only to improve the network experience for PLDT but for the Philippines as a whole,” Aliwalas underscored.

 

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.

7 Reasons Why Vaping is Getting More Popular

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Vaping has gradually worked its way to the limelight as many people adopt the habit. It is not surprising as it is a recommended and widely accepted means of nicotine delivery. Besides, it comes as an improvement to smoking. As a result, many people can enjoy nicotine without worrying about the side effects.

Over the years, the number of people that have accepted vaping has increased. It presents a terrific way to satisfy their nicotine craving without excessive side effects. Even though vaping is different from smoking, it aims to achieve the same thing.

As a result, many ex-smokers and people who never smoked before seem to develop an interest in vaping. Here are seven possible reasons vaping might seem to be getting popular:

1.   Vaping is Affordable

There is a unique tax form called sin tax that the governments levy on cigarettes and other products to discourage it. Such tax makes the final price of the product high. Sadly, consumers have no choice, and chronic smokers who need to take a puff daily will incur a lot.

Vaping, however, seems to be a cost-effective alternative. While the vape device might be expensive at first, it is a one-time investment. The subsequent costs are vape juice which might not cost you up to $50 each month, depending on your vaping frequency.

The long-term cost-saving aspect is part of what makes vaping attractive to people. In other words, the days of buying several packets of cigarettes before satisfying your nicotine craving are over. A bottle of vape juice can keep serving you for several months.

2.   Series of Assorted Flavor

The cigarette does not give people much choice in terms of flavor. Users are used to nicotine flavors with strong intensity, and there is nothing they can do about it. Yet, nicotine is responsible for many side effects that people experience, like dehydration, sweating, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and many other health issues.

Vaping, however, corrected these side effects as one is not restricted to nicotine flavor. The availability of various flavors makes it appealing to several categories of people. You can vape different flavors, depending on what you want, and control the nicotine strength.

No matter the flavor: banana, menthol, clove, watermelon, orange, coconut, caramel, etc. This feature makes vaping appealing to many people and suits various age groups as they get to experiment with the flavor to find something that suits them.

3.   Helps Quit Smoking

One of the reasons for the rise in popularity of vaping is because it helps quit smoking. Another fact about nicotine is the high addiction which makes it a difficult habit to kick. Vaping, however, can help relieve nicotine addiction as it allows one to throttle down nicotine content until one can vape without it.

Out of the millions of vapers today, a high percentage is made of ex-smokers who turned to vape as a means to quit smoking. The nicotine replacement therapy treatment can allow one to kick the habit.

Even though there have been a series of innovations to help users beat smoking, many of them were not effective. It is not surprising as many such therapies failed to give the hand stimulation from a cigarette that smokers love.

Vape devices exist in various types, and you can even get the best delta 8 disposable vape pen, which replicates the sensation from smoking. As a result, ex-smokers can easily beat the habit.

Photo by Kateryna Naidenko from Pexels

4.   No Serious odor with Vaping

Most smokers are not alien to the obnoxious smell that follows them after taking a puff. As a result, they scramble to mask the scent with freshener or mint.

This is not surprising as smoke particles attach themselves to books, clothes, and the human body. As a result, they cannot escape the offensive smell that comes with smoking. Such a smell is unavoidable because of the combustion of tar.

Vaping corrected many of these errors. As a result, there is no combustion involved while vaping, so there is no smoke but a vapor. With this, you can vape without being a nuisance to people around you.

5.   Less Harmful Chemicals

According to research, most nicotine delivery systems have a series of health implications due to the toxins. There are a series of dangerous chemicals like ammonia, cyanide, carbon monoxide, which are harmful in the long run.

The principal element in vaping – vape juice contains only PG, VG, and flavor as the main constituent. There are no severe health implications since the chemicals are not so harsh.

6.   Can Trigger Relaxation

Stress seems common in our present world. However, people have many ways to relieve stress even though not all approaches are healthy. Some people might prefer to smoke, go for a walk, or spend time in nature. Another effective means to relieve stress is vaping.

Taking a step out of an overwhelming activity and taking a puff can relax your nerves. There is a vape device designed in a pen that you can even use on the go. Breathing in and out mimics the process of meditation, which relaxes the nerves.

7.   Vaping is Friendly to the Environment

The rate of natural disasters seems to be increasing in most countries. There have been wildfires, floods, tsunamis, and others. Many such happenings can be traced to the unhealthy choices man usually makes.

As a result, switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle can go a long way in preserving the earth. There is no combustion in vaping, so it supports the environment. It releases no smoke, which does not add to the greenhouse gases hence no pollution.

Since vape is rechargeable, it can be reused, making the entire process sustainable and environmentally friendly. Users need not worry about cigarette butts, which also reduces the chances of starting an accidental fire.

Photo by Connor Danylenko from Pexels

Conclusion

The popularity of vaping is not by accident. Many of its features make it attractive and appealing to people. As a result, it is a welcomed development for ex-smokers and people who have never smoked before.

Cover Photo: Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash

Flight to recovery: Insights on the future of travel

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

While the world is gradually recovering from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, air travel is getting its wings back. Isentia has recently concluded a webinar, along with Access Intelligence, AMEC Global, AirAsia Bhd, and Johnson & Johnson, which enabled them to share some insights and perspectives from the industries they belong in. The session has also enabled these industry leaders to hold a meaningful and data-driven discussion on what the future holds for the future of travel.

These industry leaders who took part in the webinar are experts from around the world. These leaders include Jake Steadman, Global VP for Insights, Access Intelligence; Johna Burke, AMEC Global CEO; Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Berhad; Vishy Ramaswamy, Marketing Director - SEA of Johnson & Johnson; and Prashant Saxena, Head of Insights - Asia from Isentia.

Future of Travel

Many have argued about what travelling after COVID would look like. Some say the situation will be similar to pre-COVID. Others say there will undoubtedly be a much more different atmosphere with travelling. Since the pandemic, people have been required to work from home, and it has proven to be beneficial to most workers, as they have the privilege to work and travel simultaneously.

Jake Steadman, Access Intelligence's Global VP for Insights, has shared data from Pulsar. Steadman has shown how conversations and engagements occurred around the world. According to the data, most discussions occurred in Manila, followed by Jakarta; then Shah Alam.

The webinar mentioned that Germany was the number 7 top priority for Japanese travellers because of the hashtag #YoursTrulyGermany. Since then, Germany's travel campaign has also attracted Singaporean travel influencers. Meanwhile, in the Philippines and Malaysia, the countries have reopened for domestic tourism.

According to Riad Asmat, the CEO of AirAsia, the travels now will not be the same since there are so many protocols and SOPs in place of the safety aspects.

According to J&J Senior Marketing Director - SEA Vishy Ramaswamy, "We are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and it will change everything, even while travelling."

Catch these highlights and the rest of the webinar through this link HERE.